Thank You (Dido song) explained

Thank You
Cover:	Didothankyou.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	Dido
Album:	Sliding Doors (Music from the Motion Picture) No Angel
Recorded:	1998
Studio:	The Church (London, England)
Length:	3:44
Label:	Arista BMG Cheeky
Producer:	Rollo Dido
Prev Title:	Don't Think of Me
Prev Year:	2000
Next Title:	Stan
Next Year:	2000

"Thank You" is a song written and performed by English singer-songwriter Dido. The song made its first appearance in 1998 on the soundtrack of the movie Sliding Doors. It was later included on Dido's 1999 debut album, No Angel, and was released in September 2000. The same year, American rapper Eminem sampled the track for his hit single "Stan", which helped propel "Thank You" and No Angel to mainstream success.

Entering the Billboard Hot 100 at number 80 in January 2001,^[1] "Thank You" peaked at number three in April 2001. It held that spot for three weeks^{[2] [3]} and became Dido's first and only top-10 single in the United States. Additionally, the song reached number one on the Billboard Adult Contemporary, Adult Top 40, and Dance Club Play charts. In the United Kingdom, "Thank You" reached number three, becoming the singer's third top-five single in the United Kingdom.

Song information

Dido wrote the song about the down times of depression and about how she lost her house. It remains Dido's biggest hit single in the United States to date, and her only one to reach the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. "Thank You" was one of the biggest sleeper hits in 2001, debuting in January and remaining on the chart until the end of September. It spent 40 weeks on the chart, and in November Billboard published that "Thank You" finished as the seventh biggest song of the year.

The song's verses are written in the key of G minor with a tempo of 80 beats per minute in common time. It follows a chord progression of GmEmaj7FBF/A, and Dido's vocals span from F₃ to B₄ in the song.^[4]

Critical reception

"Thank You" received widespread acclaim from music critics, who thought the ballad was very "touching and soft" and an instant standout to the album. Jeff Burger from AllMusic had highlighted "Thank You" as an album standout.^[5] Christian Ward from NME wrote, Thank You', which, far from conjuring up images of lunatic fan-worship, is more reminiscent of the Corrs. Now that really is sick."^[6]

Music video

In the music video, Dido has not paid her bills, and the government comes to tear down her house. The police put an eviction notice on her door and movers start moving her furniture out. Dido is seen singing the song.

During the first chorus of the song, Dido has a cup of tea whilst movers pile her belongings by an outside wall, and a mover steps on flowers in her front yard. In the end, she is escorted out of her home, her home is demolished, she leaves behind most of her belongings, and walks away with just her shoulder bag, an umbrella, and a hair dryer.

The end of the video implies that her house is actually being torn down for redevelopment, as her home is sandwiched between two large skyscrapers. The video was directed by Dave Meyers, and was released in January 2001. VEVO released an acoustic version of the song in December 2012, and a live concert version was released in August 2016.^[7]

Track listings

• UK CD single^[8]

1. "Thank You" (album version) – 3:39
2. "Thank You" (Deep Dish vocal) – 9:29
3. "Thank You" (Skinny mix) – 3:20

• UK and US 12-inch single^{[9] [10]}

A. "Thank You" (Deep Dish vocal) – 9:29

B. "Thank You" (Deep Dish dub) – 10:29 (10:40 on US pressings)

• UK cassette single and European CD single^{[11] [12]}

1. "Thank You" (album version) – 3:39
2. "Thank You" (Deep Dish vocal) – 9:29

• European maxi-CD single^[13]

1. "Thank You" (album version) – 3:39
2. "Thank You" (Deep Dish vocal) – 9:29
3. "Thank You" (Skinny mix) – 3:20
4. "Thank You" (enhanced video version)

• US CD single^[14]

1. "Thank You" (album version) – 3:39
2. "Thank You" (Skinny remix) – 3:19
3. "Thank You" (Deep Dish vocal) – 4:10
4. "Thank You" (Deep Dish dub) – 10:40

Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the UK CD single liner notes and the No Angel album booklet.^{[8] [15]}

Studios

• Recorded and mixed at The Church Studios (London, England)
• Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)

Personnel

• Dido – writing (as Dido Armstrong), all vocals, recorder production
• Paul Herman – writing, guitar
• Mark Bates – piano, keyboards
• Mal Hyde-Smith – percussion
• Rollo – production, programming
• Goetz – recording
• Phill Brown – mixing
• Tom Coyne – mastering
• Richard Andrews – artwork design
• Simon Emmett – photography

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2001–2002)	Peak position
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)^[16]	10
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)^[17]	1
Canada AC (Nielsen BDS)^[18]	2
Canada CHR (Nielsen BDS)^[19]	1
Croatia (HRT)^[20]	1
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)^[21]	10
Poland (Polish Airplay Charts)^[22]	8
Portugal (AFP)^[23]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (2001)	Position
Brazil (Crowley)^[24]	2
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)^[25]	60
Canada Radio (Nielsen BDS)^[26]	3
Ireland (IRMA)^[27]	83
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)^[28]	14
UK Singles (OCC)^[29]	78
US Billboard Hot 100^[30]	8
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[31]	4
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)^[32]	2
US Dance Club Play (Billboard)^[33]	40
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)^[34]	16
US Triple-A (Billboard)^[35]	7

Chart (2002)	Position
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[36]	6
US Maxi-Singles Sales (Billboard)^[37]	9

Release history

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)
United States	18 September 2000	Triple A radio		^[38]
	6 November 2000	Hot adult contemporary radio		^[39]
	9 January 2001	Contemporary hit radio		^[40]
Sweden	21 May 2001	CD		^[41]
United Kingdom				^[42]

Cover versions, remixes, and samples

Eminem's "Stan"

Eminem's critically acclaimed number-one single "Stan" samples the first verse of the song for its chorus. Dido herself appears in the music video for "Stan" (alongside Devon Sawa) as the pregnant girlfriend of the titular obsessed, suicidal and homicidal Eminem fan, and has made appearances on Eminem's tours to perform the song. When Eminem performed "Stan" live at the 2001 Grammy Awards, Elton John sang the Dido sample as he played keyboard during the performance. The sampling usage helped bring mainstream attention to "Thank You" and its parent album.^[43]

Deep Dish version

House music duo Deep Dish remixed the song. It won a Grammy Award for Best Remixed Recording in 2002.^[44]

Vize and Felix Jaehn version

On 6 February 2020, Vize and Felix Jaehn released version of the song titled "Thank You [Not So Bad]".^[45] The song charted in several European countries and was later included in Jaehn's album, Breathe, released on 1 October 2021.^[46]

Other notable versions

• In 2016, Barbadian singer Rihanna interpolated "Thank You" on her song "Never Ending" from her eighth album Anti.^[47]
• In 2016, Puerto Rican singers Kendo Kaponi and Anuel AA released the single "Me contagié", which covers the chorus of "Thank You" and partially adapted the lyrics in Spanish, sung by Anuel AA.^[48]
• In 2022, Peruvian DJ Tito Silva Music and singer Tefi C. released a parody of "Thank You" and "Stan" called "Mi Bebito Fiu Fiu", related to an alleged case of infidelity of former President Martín Vizcarra.^[49] On 8 July 2022, Tito Silva took down his parody from his YouTube channel and streaming platforms at the behest of the copyright owners due to its political tone.^{[50] [51]}

Legacy

In an interview on BBC Radio 3 in 2005, The Duchess of Kent, who worked as a classical music teacher after relinquishing royal duties, chose "Thank You" as one of her favourite pieces.

In April 2007, it was also voted number 57 in the BBC's list of the "Most Annoying Pop Songs We Hate to Love".^[52]

In January 2024, "Thank You" was released as one of the final downloadable songs for the rhythm game Rock Band 4.

See also

• List of Billboard Adult Contemporary number ones of 2001

Notes and References

1. The Hot 100. Billboard.
2. The Hot 100. Billboard.
3. The Hot 100. Billboard.
4. Web site: Dido "Thank You" Sheet Music in B Major (transposable) – Download & Print. Herman. Paul. 6 March 2001. Musicnotes. 1 May 2016.
5. Web site: No Angel. Burger. Jeff. AllMusic.
6. Web site: Dido – 'No Angel' review. NME. NME. 12 September 2005.
7. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPaymCC07RcrRbT9Ero04jQ DidoVEVO
8. Thank You. Dido. 2001. UK CD single liner notes. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 74321 853 042.
9. Thank You. Dido. 2001. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 74321 853041.
10. Thank You. Dido. 2001. US 12-inch vinyl disc. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 07822-13996-1 RE-1.
11. Thank You. Dido. 2001. UK cassette single sleeve. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 74321 853044.
12. Thank You. Dido. 2001. European CD single liner notes. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 74321 85891 2.
13. Thank You. Dido. 2001. European maxi-CD single liner notes. Arista Records, BMG, Cheeky Records. 74321 85890 2.
14. Thank You. Dido. 2002. US CD single liner notes. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 07822-13996-2.
15. No Angel. No Angel. Dido. 1999. US CD album booklet. Arista Records, Cheeky Records. 07822-19025-2.
16. Dido Chart History (Canadian Digital Songs). Billboard. 3 June 2019.
17. Web site: The Hits Charts (Airplay) : Top 100 singles. https://web.archive.org/web/20010407001656/http://canoe.com/JamMusicCharts/BDS_1.html. dead. 2001-04-07. Broadcast Data Systems. May 29, 2024.
18. Web site: Canada Adult Contemporary: 06/12/2001-06/18/2001. Canadian Music Network. https://web.archive.org/web/20010625125654/http://www.canadianmusicnetwork.com/charts/ac.PDF. 25 June 2001. 19 April 2024.
19. Web site: Canadian Top 20 in 2001. Cross Canada Countdown. https://web.archive.org/web/20050407223203/http://www.crosscanadacountdown.com/pdfs/2001.pdf. 7 April 2005. 13 November 2023.
20. Web site: Top Lista Hrvatskog Radija. Croatian Radiotelevision. https://web.archive.org/web/20010701101012/http://www.hrt.hr/hr/top20/maineng.html. dead. 1 July 2001. 7 March 2021.
21. Eurochart Hot 100 Singles. Music & Media. 19. 24. 9. 9 June 2001. 9 May 2020.
22. Web site: Polish Airplay Charts – Lista krajowa 05/2001. PiF PaF Production. pl. 19 January 2024. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20010304022944/http://www.pifpaf.com.pl/airplay/lista_05_2001.html. 4 March 2001.
23. Top National Sellers. Music & Media. 19. 28. 16. 7 July 2001. 9 May 2020.
24. Web site: Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 2001. April 3, 2018. Crowley Broadcast Analysis. January 30, 2022.
25. Web site: Canada's Top 200 Singles of 2001. Jam!. https://web.archive.org/web/20030126204339/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/2001_singles.html. 26 January 2003. 26 March 2022.
26. Web site: BDS CHART : Top 100 of 2001. Jam!. https://web.archive.org/web/20020701174353/http://jamshowbiz.com/JamMusicCharts/100_2001.html. 1 July 2002. 26 March 2022.
27. Web site: Ireland – Top Singles for 2001. Allcharts. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120505011812/http://allcharts.org/music/years/ireland-singles-2001.htm. 5 May 2012. 16 December 2018.
28. Web site: End of Year Charts 2001. Recorded Music NZ. 9 May 2020.
29. Web site: The Official UK Singles Chart 2001. UKChartsPlus. 22 May 2018.
30. Web site: Billboard Top 100 – 2001. Billboardtop100of.com. 9 May 2020.
31. The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. Billboard. 113. 52. YE-81. 29 December 2001. 17 December 2023.
32. The Year in Music 2001: Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks. Billboard. 113. 52. YE-82. 29 December 2001. 17 December 2023.
33. The Year in Music 2001: Hot Dance Club-Play Singles. Billboard. 113. 52. YE-48. 29 December 2001. 17 December 2023.
34. Most-Played Mainstream Top Songs of 2001. Airplay Monitor. 9. 51. 60. 21 December 2001.
35. America's Best: 2001 – Most-Played Triple-A Songs. Airplay Monitor. 9. 51. 45. 21 December 2001.
36. The Year in Music 2002: Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks. Billboard. 114. 52. YE-96. 28 December 2002. 17 December 2023.
37. The Year in Music 2002: Hot Dance Maxi-Singles Sales. Billboard. 114. 52. YE-53. 28 December 2002. 17 December 2023.
38. Impact Dates. Gavin Report. 2322. 52. 15 September 2000.
39. Impact Dates. Gavin Report. 2329. 25. 3 November 2000.
40. CHR/Pop: Going for Adds. Radio & Records. 1382. 38. 22 December 2000. 14 August 2021.
41. Web site: Dido: Thank You. click2music.se. sv. https://web.archive.org/web/20050223103042/http://click2music.se/product.asp?prd=1112&art=246. 23 February 2005. 29 November 2023.
42. New Releases – For Week Starting May 21, 2001: Singles. Music Week. 25. 19 May 2001. 14 August 2021.
43. Web site: Dido Reflects on Eminem. Graff. Gary. Gary Graff. American Broadcasting Company. 6 January 2006. 1 May 2022.
44. Web site: 2001 Grammy Winners. Grammy Awards. 7 July 2022.
45. Web site: Thank You [Not So Bad] by VIZE & Felix Jaehn on Apple Music ]. 25 July 2024 . 6 February 2020.
46. Web site: BREATHE by Felix Jaehn on Apple Music . 25 July 2024 . 1 October 2021.
47. Web site: 'Never Ending' Lyrics: Rihanna's Heartbreak Song Sounds Like Dido's 1998 'Thank You' . 8 July 2022 . Mic.
48. Web site: Kendo Kaponi y Anuel AA se copian de canción de Eminem y Dido . 8 July 2022 . El Calce . es.
49. Web site: 8 July 2022 . The strange story of 'Mi bebito fiu fiu', the Peruvian song that went viral on social media - Parody TV . 8 July 2022 . parodytv.one.
50. Web site: de 2022 . 7 de Julio . Tito Silva, creador de 'Mi bebito fiu fiu', cuenta los motivos de por qué retiró la canción de todas las plataformas . 11 July 2022 . infobae . es-ES.
51. Web site: 8 July 2022 . Is Eminem Why 'Mi Bebito Fiu Fiu' Was Taken Down From Streaming Services? . 11 July 2022 . Remezcla.
52. Web site: BBC's "The 100 Most Annoying Pop Songs We Hate to Love". 1 April 2007. Listology. 24 January 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20111117232707/http://www.listology.com/wezzo/list/bbcs-100-most-annoying-pop-songs-we-hate-love. 17 November 2011.